Harry Ormrod

Lieutenant
8th Bn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

The Commonwealth War Graves Debt of Honour Register records that Harry Ormrod was the son of John and Alice Ann Ormrod, of 18 Alphonsus St, Old Trafford, Manchester. He was also a B.A. (Manchester University).

At the time of the 1901 Census the family was living at 28 Holland Street, Stretford. Their details were recorded in the Census as follows.

Harry was killed in action, aged 21, on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, fighting with the 8th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. At this time the 8th Battalion were fighting as part of the 70th Brigade, 23rd Division, in the line north of Ovillers.

Harry has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing (Pier and Face 11 C and 12 A).

Prior the battle the 8th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry had been addressed by a senior officer, who reportedly told them: "When you go over the top, you can slope arms, light up your pipes and cigarettes, and march all the way to Pozières before meeting any live Germans."

Many of the senior officers from the 8th Battalion went sick in the days before 1 July 1916, and it was left to a Captain, K.E. Poyser, to lead the 8th into action on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme. He was wounded that day.

In The Somme - The Day-By-Day Account, Chris McCarthy describes how on 1 July 1916 "The two leading waves of the 8th KOYLI managed to cross no man's land and press on to the second German trench, some even reaching the third line. Very few of the third and fourth waves, however, managed the 400 yards of no man's land. The 9th York & Lancs in support received machine-gun fire from Thiepval Spur and very few men reached the German front trench. The 11th Sherwood Foresters also advanced, only to share the same fate. A further attempt was made by 50 bombers down the sunken road leading from the Nab to Mouquet Farm, but a single machine-gun checked them 80 yards from the German trench."

In British Battalions on the Somme 1916, Ray Westlake notes the following:

"8th (Service) Battalion. 70th Brigade, 8th and 23rd Divisions: In action (with 8th Division) at the Ovillers spur (1/7) attacking from in front of Authuille Wood good progress quickly made by leading waves and German first line entered. Following waves came under heavy machine gun fire from both flanks, losing 50% while crossing No Man's Land - close quarter fighting in German second and third lines. Withdrew to British front line during afternoon - all officers having become casualties. Regimental historian Lieutenant-Colonel R.C. Bond, D.S.O. records renewed attacks led by N.C.Os. Relieved and to Long Valley during night. Survivors - the medical officer and 110 other ranks, 25 officers and 659 other ranks having gone into action."

The casualties for the 8th Battalion on 1 July 1916 totalled 21 officers and 518 men.

Further information about Harry Ormrod can be found at the Trafford War Dead website and at the Manchester University Roll of Honour site.

Harry's name commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial